Argonon poaches BBC commissioner for CCO role

UK indie production group Argonon has recruited Kristian Smith as its chief creative officer.

Smith joins from UK pubcaster the BBC where he has been commissioning editor, BBC Comedy. During six years in that role he commissioned shows including the award-winning  Detectorists, Uncle and Boy Meets Girl.

In the newly-created role at Argonon, Smith will head up the team at Leopard and work across drama series and copros and features.

Leopard USA hired Simon McKeown as its US-based CCO earlier this year. The Smith hire, meanwhile, effectively marks the alignment of the Leopard Drama and Leopard Film businesses in the UK.

“His lateral thinking about drama, comedy, and talent, combined with his extensive experience and passion for creativity, will take our talented team to the next level,” said James Burstall, CEO of Argonon. “We are excited about more diverse quality drama from Leopard for all the platforms.”

Smith, who has been a producer on long running ITV soap Emmerdale, starts in the new role in February.

He added “Argonon is a truly impressive, forward-thinking company, full of people making great television in the UK and internationally. I’m thrilled to be joining them to look after Leopard.”